Robotic tongue gizmo lets you french kiss over the Internet

The University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo has unveiled its latest invention: a robotic tongue that lets you kiss people over the Internet. Only in Japan.

Have you every wished you could say goodbye to your online lover with more than a perfunctory 'xxx'? The Kiss Transmission Device prototype could be the answer to your prayers.

Designed for "communication in the mouth", the invention consists of a motion-sensing recepticle that records your tongue's movements. The saucy information is then transmited across the Internet to a corresponding machine in your partner's mouth.

In other words, even if the recipient is on the other side of the world, they will be able to feel your kiss.

This all sounds rather high-tech on paper, but in reality, the device contains a simple bilateral motor and a metal tube that the user rotates with their tongue. The rotation data is then sent through a PC and mimicked by your partner's machine.

In addition to real-time smooching, the Kiss Transmission Device can be programmed to 'remember' specific rotations. The pre-recorded information can then be accessed by multiple recipients.

According to the inventor, this could be a good way for celebrities to get closer to their fans. (Kidding aside, we could see someone like Lady GaGa making use of this service; if only for the headlines.)

Somewhat disconcertingly, the inventor hopes to replicate the sensations of breathing, saliva and taste in a future model. “The elements of a kiss include the sense of taste, the manner of breathing, and the moistness of the tongue. If we can recreate all of those I think it will be a really powerful device,” he explained in a video.

If we're being honest, the current protoype probably needs some work: in its present form it looks like something you'd encounter in a dentist's chair, which is sure to dampen one's ardor.

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